[_ Old Earth _] Archaeology and the Temple Mount

[serapha]

Hi there!

I don't really consider archaeology to be a "science" but rather a discipline under anthropology, but I didn't see an area where this information would be pertinent... so here it is for your enlightenment. It is an email I received today soliciting funds for the project, and I am editing that portion of the email as the purpose of posting is not to solicit funds, but to inform people of the problems.

The first problem is that the Muslim authorities that control the Temple Mount deny that there have ever been blood sacrifices on the Temple Mount to God by the Jewish people.

The second problem is that the illegal excavations are destroying the understructure of the Temple Mount.

For pictures and a brief summary... go here...

http://www.bibleplaces.com/templemountdump.htm



~serapha~

For Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and love her dust
(psalms 102:15)

In November 1999 illegal construction and excavation work took
place on the Temple Mount that caused irreparable archaeological
destruction. This is part of a larger trend of illegal work of the
Wakf (the Moslem religious body in charge of Moslem holy sites) to
change history and in particular, to eradicate the remains of Jewish
history on the Mount. The dirt dumps from these illegal works,
saturated with archaeological material, were removed by bulldozers
and trucks and discarded in the Kidron Valley. Though these
archaeological remains are no longer in their original context they
include great and important archaeological potential. Systematic
scientific archaeological excavation and supervision has never been
permitted on the Temple Mount, and these dumps contain the only
archaeological information available from the Temple Mount.

For these reasons archaeologist Dr. Gabriel Barkay under the auspices of Bar-Ilan University has decided to undertake the task of
sifting these dumps, in order to save any archaeological information
that can still be rescued from this destruction.

The project began in mid October 2004. Although we have sorted
through less than 8 percent of the dumps, our sifting and
examinations have already yielded important artifacts from various
periods, starting from the First Temple period until today. Among
them are: a seal impression from the Second Temple period (five-
pointed star with the word `=E9=F8=F9=EC=ED' inscribed on it), a fragment of a monumental door jamb of a gate from the Second Temple Period, arch stones, and more architectural fragments. In addition, we have also found fragments of glass vessels (some are from the Second
Temple Period), a cosmetic alabaster plate from the Persian period,
a fragment of an ornamental stone table from the Second Temple
period, fragments of glazed bricks, and a few coins, of which the
first one discovered was from the first Jewish revolt against the
Romans with the written phrase "For the Freedom of Zion". On
Chanukah Eve, we discovered a Hasmonean oil lamp.

Furthermore, there is a high probability of discovering extremely
valuable artifacts such as: seals, ostraca (pot-shards with writing
on them), coins and other important architectural remains. These
are just some examples of the types of artifacts that will greatly
enhance our knowledge of the Temple Mount from all periods. But most
of all, the very act of Jews spending time and making the effort to
examine debris just because it originates from the Temple Mount,
transmits a very powerful message to the general public and to the
world as a whole about the deep connection the Jewish people has to
the Temple Mount. Dr. Barkay likens this act to the respect we give
to a dead corpse by burying it.

The Project Plan

In the Kidron Valley there were a large number of dumps (discarded by
approximately 100 trucks). We transferred these dumps to an
alternative location, where they are safe and protected from
external disturbances. We used a portable screener machine to do a
preliminary sifting of the dumps.

The machine created heaps of various sifting resolutions. High-
resolution heaps have to be sifted again manually using water in
order to identify all the archaeological artifacts. These earth
heaps need to be scrutinized by a great amount of manpower. The
archaeological materials extracted will need to be treated
appropriately and documented for publication. Certain finds
will need to be sent to laboratories for further research in Israel
and abroad. Funds will be required for the research and publication
of the material.

The project is extending considerably beyond our initial
estimate, and it seems that it will take about 4 more months to
finish the sifting of all the heaps. We were unable to correctly
estimate the duration of the project because no such excavation has
been done before, and the work methods were something we had to
invent by ourselves as we progressed. We now estimate that it will
take four more months to finish sifting all of the material,





......



Sincerely,

Gabriel Barkay, PhD. AD Excavation Director and senior archaeologist Zachi Zweig AD Archaeologist and administrative Director

To Contact us for further information ....

Zachi Zweig
Phone: 972-54-4802655
Email: zachiz@miac.com

 

[serapha]

Hi there!


This site would give a good understanding of how archaeology even begins to date items...

http://www.har-habayt.org/pictures/survey.html

extremely remarkable pictures of artifacts, the variety in types and in different periods.... which is why every archaeology team needs a good pottery reader.


~serapha~

 

[huj05]

jjust a q.

qhy is it illegal for the muslims to do what they want in their country?
where is this law written
who emplaced it.

Just want to know :P

 

[serapha]

jjust a q.

qhy is it illegal for the muslims to do what they want in their country?
where is this law written
who emplaced it.

Just want to know :P

HI there!

All excavations in Isreael have to be licensed through the Antiquities Department... there is a fee charged for each license and there are requirements for the work.... usually a large amount of money is required up front to guarantee that the archaeology work will be finished on schedule.


Even if you own the land, you cannot excavate it without a license... and all the findings from the dig have to be reviewed by someone from the Antiquities Department, or at least, any intact artifacts or relics.... but not every piece of broken pottery. The Antiquities Department determines what artifacts go to the Israeli government and what artifacts may be given to the consortium or school that is sponsoring the dig.

And for example, if, during your excavation, you find a tomb or the relics of a body, you have to notify the authorities and halt the digging until they give you permission to continue... or say, and it is VERY common in Israel, to find an site during road construction or building construction, particularly in Jerusalem, and all construction on the road or the building comes to a halt until the Antiquities Department gives the go ahead.

In cases like that, they bring in an "emergency team", and they may work 24- hours a day to get it excavated so the construction work may continue.


Besides, it is also wrong to be dumping the dirt in the Kidron Valley.

It's total disregard for the "laws" of archaeology.


~serapha~

 

[huj05]

jsut for more clarification,

the "antiquaties" department is part of the israel govt? or is it UN, or something else?

 

[serapha]

It is a department of the Israeli government. Most, if not all, of the Middle Eastern countries have an antiquities department as a part of their government to control vandelism and destruction of their history and culture. It has nothing to do with the UN.


http://www.imednet.it/delta/01.ENGLISH/ ... el_en.html

Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA)
Conservation Department, ISRAEL



The Israel Antiquities Authority
Israel's history and cultural heritage are its most important assets. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), under the Ministry of Education, is responsible for all archaeological matters (including underwater) in Israel. The IAA is in charge of their identification, protection, conservation, research, exposure and publication.
It administers the state's national collection of antiquities and aimed to increase public awareness of the remnants of the past.
The IAA applies highest professional standards, while balancing national development with the protection of the state's antiquities.

Duties of the IAA
The IAA implements a wide range of activities including:

Inspection and protection of antiquity sites in accord with the Law of Antiquities.

Excavation and research of antiquities sites.

Conservation, restoration and development of antiquity sites.

Inspection of archaeological excavations in Israel.

Administration and safekeeping of the National Collection of Antiquities.

Conducting, promoting and publishing archaeological researches.

Gathering and documenting of national archaeological information.

Conducting and promoting educational and informational activities aimed to protect the national heritage.

Maintaining international scientific communication on archaeological issues.
Organizational structure
The IAA consists of both regional and centralized departments. The main offices are located in the Rockefeller Museum Building in Jerusalem, and others are spread throughout the country.

The Regional Offices are responsible for enforcement of the Law of Antiquities and declare new antiquity sites; conduct rescue excavations and supervising all excavations.
Antiquities Robbery Prevention Unit is charged with robbery prevention, inspection and supervision of commerce in antiquities.
Maritime Archaeology Unit is in charge of the underwater archaeological resources.
The Conservation Department is responsible for conservation of archaeological sites during excavation and as part of the development of sites for public presentation. The department undertakes conservation surveys and documentation, planning and implementation of conservation works, inspecting and supervising them. It is also involved with development of advanced conservation methods, professional training and advocacy.
Excavations and Surveys Department is the professional core of the IAA. It is the authority for archaeological matters, advancing professional expertise, issuing of excavation license and initiation of scientific contacts with archaeological institutions in Israel and abroad.
Artifacts Treatment Department is responsible for the treatment and conservation of movable artifacts through its laboratories.
National Collections Department manages the registration and documentation of all antiquities in the country, as well as consultation to museums, initiating exhibits and lending artifacts.
Publications Department publishes the results of the IAA excavations, surveys and research.
Archives and Library include a scientific library with an extensive collection, interconnected with other professional libraries.
Educational centers carry out activities in schools and for the general public, to promote awareness for preservation of the heritage.
Financial recourses
The IAA budget consists of two main components:
-Government allocation
-Income from construction and infrastructure projects developers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address:
Israel Antiquities Authority, Conservation Department
Rockefeller Museum
PO Box 586
Jerusalem 91004, Israel
Director: E-mail: Yaakov@israntique.org.il
Tel: +972 (0)2-6204701 Fax: +972 (0)2-6260105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




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[Pearly Gator]

jjust a q.

qhy is it illegal for the muslims to do what they want in their country?
where is this law written
who emplaced it.

Just want to know :P

I expect you to be able to answer a few basic questions about that country of Palestine:

When was it founded and by whom?

What were its borders?

What was its capital?

What were its major cities?

What constituted the basis of its economy?

What was its form of government?

Can you name at least one Palestinian leader before Arafat?

Was Palestine ever recognized by a country whose existence, at that time or now, leaves no room for interpretation?

What was the language of the country of Palestine?

What was the prevalent religion of the country of Palestine?

What was the name of its currency? Choose any date in history and tell what was the approximate exchange rate of the Palestinian monetary unit against the US dollar, German mark, GB pound, Japanese yen, or Chinese Yuan on that date.

And, finally, since there is no such country today, what caused its demise and when did it occur?

You are lamenting the "low sinking" of "once proud" nation. Please tell me, when exactly was that "nation" proud and what was it so proud of?

And here is the least sarcastic question of all: If the people you mistakenly call "Palestinians" are
anything but generic Arabs collected from all over -- or thrown out of -- the Arab world, if they really have a genuine ethnic identity that gives them right for self-determination, why did they never try to become independent until Arabs suffered their devastating defeat in the Six Day War?

I hope you avoid the temptation to trace the modern day "Palestinians" to the Biblical Philistines:
substituting etymology* for history won't work here. The truth should be obvious to everyone who wants to know it. Arab countries have never abandoned the dream of destroying Israel; they still cherish it today. Having time and again failed to achieve their evil goal with military means, they decided to fight Israel by proxy. For that purpose, they created a terrorist organization, cynically called it "Palestinian people" and installed it in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. How else can you explain the refusal by Jordan and Egypt to unconditionally accept back the "West Bank" and Gaza, respectively?

The fact is, Arabs populating Gaza, Judea, and Samaria have much less claim to nationhood than that Indian tribe that successfully emerged in Connecticut with the purpose of starting a tax-exempt casino: at least that tribe had a constructive goal that motivated them. The so-called "Palestinians" have only one motivation: the destruction of Israel, and in my book that is not sufficient to consider them a "nation" -- or anything else except what they really are: a terrorist organization that will one day be dismantled.

In fact, there is only one way to achieve piece in the Middle East. Arab countries must acknowledge and accept their defeat in their war against Israel and, as the losing side should, pay Israel reparations for the more than 50 years of devastation they have visited on it. The most appropriate form of such reparations would be the removal of their terrorist organization from the land of Israel and accepting Israel's ancient sovereignty over Gaza, Judea, and Samaria.
That will mark the end of the Palestinian people. What are you saying again was its beginning?

* The science that deals with the origin of words.

 

[serapha]

Hello et. al.


I want to identify a great "Palestinian Christian"....


Abuna Chacour, a past nominee for the Nobel Peace prize, a Catholic priest, and someone who is very proud to be "Palestinian"


http://www.meei.org/who/abuna.html



Not every Palestinian is an Arab muslim, many are Palestinian Jews or Palestinian Christians as well.


~serapha~